Dark Knight Sets Record with Incredible $66.4 Mil First-Day Haul

July 19th, 2008 | by Staff

In what’s turning out to be unprecedented in Holly Wood history, the Christopher Nolan directed Batman sequel, Dark Knight, is on track to becoming the top grossing film.

The film, which stars Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader and the late Heath Ledger as the Joker, has already made its way into the records book, earning an estimated $66.4 in its first full day of release. To put that in prospective, it’s predecessor, Batman Begins earned $48.7 million in its first three days of release in 2005. The one-day record was previously held by Spider-Man 3, which earned $59.8 million in its first day of release last year. At this pace Dark Knight may break the opening-weekend record of $151.1 million, also held by Spider-Man 3.

The Dark Knight also set the record for midnight screenings, which accounted for 18.5 million of it’s $66.4 million total. That record was previously held by 2005’s Star Wars: Episode III — The Revenge of the Sith which earned $16.9 million during its midnight screening.